Introduction to the Classic Book of Documents | Generated by AI
Question: Provide an introduction to 《尚书》 (Shangshu / Book of Documents).
Answer:
《尚书》 (Shàngshū), also known as 《书经》 (Shūjīng), Book of Documents, or Classic of History, is one of the Five Classics (五经) of Confucianism and the oldest existing collection of historical documents in China.
Basic Overview
- It is the earliest historical document compilation in China, preserving important political speeches, announcements, oaths, counsels, and records from ancient times.
- Traditionally believed to have been compiled or edited by Confucius (孔子), though modern scholarship views it as a gradually formed collection from various periods.
- Covers events and speeches mainly from legendary emperors Yao (尧) and Shun (舜), through the Xia (夏), Shang (商), and Zhou (周) dynasties (especially early Western Zhou).
- Time span: Roughly from mythical times (~2300 BCE) to around the Spring and Autumn period (~6th century BCE), with most authentic chapters from Western Zhou.
Structure and Content
The received text contains 58 chapters (篇), traditionally divided into four main sections:
- 虞书 / 唐书 (Documents of Yu / Tang): Includes famous chapters like 《尧典》 (Canon of Yao) — records the selection of Shun, flood control, and early governance ideals.
- 夏书 (Documents of Xia): Includes 《禹贡》 (Tribute of Yu) — describes ancient geography, tribute systems, and flood control.
- 商书 (Documents of Shang): Contains speeches and announcements from Shang kings, e.g., about the mandate of heaven and dynastic change.
- 周书 (Documents of Zhou): The largest section, with many important chapters such as:
- 《牧誓》 (Oath at Muye) — King Wu’s battle speech against Shang
- 《洪范》 (Great Plan) — cosmological and political philosophy (five elements, royal standards)
- 《金縢》 (Metal-bound Coffer), 《无逸》 (Against Luxurious Ease), etc.
The literary forms include six main types:
- 典 (canons/institutions)
- 谟 (counsels/plans)
- 训 (instructions)
- 诰 (announcements/proclamations)
- 誓 (oaths)
- 命 (commands)
Historical Significance
- Political philosophy foundation: Concepts like “Mandate of Heaven” (天命), “Revering Heaven and Protecting the People” (敬天保民), virtuous rule, and warnings against tyranny originated or were clearly expressed here.
- Served as a core textbook for Confucian education and imperial governance for over 2,000 years.
- Influenced later works: 《大学》, Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism (especially 《大禹谟》), legal systems, geography, and five-elements theory.
Textual History — Now文 vs. Ancient文 Controversy
- Qin dynasty book burning → only partial survival.
- Han dynasty → 伏生 (Fusheng) transmitted 28–29 chapters in clerical script → called 今文尚书 (Modern Script Text).
- Later, so-called 古文尚书 (Ancient Script Text) appeared, eventually reaching 58 chapters (with 孔安国 commentary).
- From Song dynasty onward, scholars (especially in Qing dynasty: 阎若璩, 惠栋) proved that ~25 chapters of the “ancient script” version were forged in the Eastern Jin period.
- Today, scholars generally accept 33 chapters (from the original 今文 + some divisions) as authentic pre-Qin texts; the rest are considered later forgeries.
Modern Importance
《尚书》 is difficult to read due to its archaic language (古文), but it remains essential for understanding early Chinese political thought, history, and civilization origins. It is the foundational text for studying how ancient Chinese viewed legitimate rule, moral governance, and the relationship between Heaven and humanity.
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